Sermon Advice

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#1
Sep 17, 2016
8,888
4,539
113
#1
So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.
 
MsMediator

MsMediator

Well-known member
#2
Mar 8, 2022
1,167
769
113
#2
Since this is one of your first sermons, do what you are comfortable with. I have seen guest pastors read off notes or give PowerPoint presentations.
 
MsMediator

MsMediator

Well-known member
#3
Mar 8, 2022
1,167
769
113
#3
If both message and delivery are not great, one needs to compensate for the other.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#4
Apr 21, 2021
8,433
3,684
113
#4
Roughsoul1991 said:
So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.
Click to expand...
You don't have to give a sermon; it's probably better if you don't in my opinion. One of the best speakers I've had the pleasure of listening to was more of a teacher than a sermonizer, even in front of the whole congregation. If the Lord has laid a message on your heart, and you and the pastor feel it's important, just explain it to them and show them from the scriptures why it's important. You're basically giving them what they need to see your vision.
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#5
Sep 17, 2016
8,888
4,539
113
#5
MsMediator said:
Since this is one of your first sermons, do what you are comfortable with. I have seen guest pastors read off notes or give PowerPoint presentations.
Click to expand...
I will have a PowerPoint to help the visual learners and note takers. Which I find helpful in a class setting to pull myself from the notes and speak using the PowerPoint as a guide.
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#6
Sep 17, 2016
8,888
4,539
113
#6
ResidentAlien said:
You don't have to give a sermon; it's probably better if you don't in my opinion. One of the best speakers I've had the pleasure of listening to was more of a teacher than a sermonizer, even in front of the whole congregation. If the Lord has laid a message on your heart, and you and the pastor feel it's important, just explain it to them and show them from the scriptures why it's important. You're basically giving them what they need to see your vision.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll stay focused on my main points, why it matters, and application. I have really enjoyed this study.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#7
Mar 1, 2022
20,080
6,883
113
62
#7
Roughsoul1991 said:
So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.
Click to expand...
Some great preachers have simply read their sermons. If the Lord gives you something extemporaneously, simply add it and pick up again from your notes.
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#9
Sep 17, 2016
8,888
4,539
113
#9
DRobinson said:
Why not talk it over with God?
Click to expand...
I believe I know what God wants. But it is one of those things that is difficult because my overthinking conflicts with just trusting that His strength will move where I feel more like Moses in his hesitation to speak to Pharaoh lol.
 
Aaron56

Aaron56

Well-known member
#10
Jul 12, 2021
3,044
1,799
113
#10
Roughsoul1991 said:
So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.
Click to expand...
You’ll relax with age. :)

Early in my preaching I would have others read the proof texts. It mainly helped the audiences stay awake. :D
 
D

DRobinson

Well-known member
#12
Aug 23, 2023
574
295
63
#12
Roughsoul1991 said:
I believe I know what God wants. But it is one of those things that is difficult because my overthinking conflicts with just trusting that His strength will move where I feel more like Moses in his hesitation to speak to Pharaoh lol.
Click to expand...
Just look at it as another chance to teach and teach as you have been doing.
That is what preaching is supposed to be anyway.
 
G

Gideon300

Well-known member
#15
Mar 18, 2021
5,441
3,222
113
#15
Roughsoul1991 said:
So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.
Click to expand...
Ask Jesus to anoint you. It makes all the difference. It's good advice to just be yourself. God accepts you as you are, so why should anyone else have an issue?
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#16
Jul 3, 2015
61,149
30,296
113
#16
Roughsoul1991 said:
Very true. Same thing just more people.
Click to expand...
They will love you. Why? Because you are lovable and sincere. Your love for God is genuine. People sense that.
That is what they respond to as much as anything else. Share what you know. You are gifted. But don't think
about that. Haha. Just be grateful for the gifts and opportunities God has given you to serve Him. You'll do great.

:)(y):)
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#17
Sep 17, 2016
8,888
4,539
113
#17
Gideon300 said:
Ask Jesus to anoint you. It makes all the difference. It's good advice to just be yourself. God accepts you as you are, so why should anyone else have an issue?
Click to expand...
That is a great message in itself. God accepts us for who we are in this very moment not in the sense that we are to stay stagnant in sanctification but if He is willing to use us as we currently are, it is a great reminder who are we to suggest we are not a suitable vessel?
 
J

j55

Active member
#18
Sep 29, 2024
299
107
43
#18
Hello brother. Plow deep. Im sure your familiar with 1 Timothy chapter 4. Lot of folks are listening to misguided preachers. And these shepherds are watering down God's word. Its like this. If they won't accept sound doctrine and reject you or any other shepherds. We don't want them. We're not going to beg anyone to abide by sound doctrine.

Matthew chapter 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet.

Body of Christ is not searching for popularity contest. We tell the truth. If people want to listen to doctrine of devils, then move on, and don't look back. We're here to serve Jesus and not please anyone. Jesus told what to do. Peace.
 
G

Gideon300

Well-known member
#19
Mar 18, 2021
5,441
3,222
113
#19
Roughsoul1991 said:
That is a great message in itself. God accepts us for who we are in this very moment not in the sense that we are to stay stagnant in sanctification but if He is willing to use us as we currently are, it is a great reminder who are we to suggest we are not a suitable vessel?
Click to expand...
God puts His treasure in clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7). In the old movies about treasure hunters, you see treasure in old wooden boxes. No one gets excited about the box. It's only of use to contain the treasure. Of course, God values His people highly and loves all humanity, so that's where the analogy falls over.

God will transform us if we are willing. 2 Timothy 2:20 & 21

"A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.…"

We cleanse ourselves by seeking deliverance by God's power. Some things are easy to let go of, others very hard. Yet the gospel is much more than going to heaven when you die. It is Luke 4:18 as well as John 1:12.
 
keepingthingsreal

keepingthingsreal

Jesus is Lord
#20
Nov 14, 2024
560
344
63
#20
Maybe I am oversimplifying things, but it seems to me that you are focusing way too much on how the word will be delivered by you. In other words, the power is in the word itself. Just put it out there as best as you can. If what you say is true, then the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will do the real work of bringing the increase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.